Wireless Networks Constantly Drop!
Hey Guys, thanks for helping...
Is there any way to lock down a wireless network so it doesn't drop. I know that other networks in the area create a problem but I don't even see any. My router is like 5 feet from the computer!
Is there any way to lock down a wireless network so it doesn't drop. I know that other networks in the area create a problem but I don't even see any. My router is like 5 feet from the computer!
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you have a linksys router.
True or false?
I have had multiple linksys routers and I have come to the conclusion that they are piles of steaming crap. As soon as I am financially able, I am dumping this heap of turd, and buying one that works.
For reference, I am a professional network installer. I have installed dozens of wired and a few wireless networks in my day. I have tried everything on Cisco/Linksys' website, I have the latest firmware, I have purchased high-gain booster antennae, I have dumped more money into this god-forsaken piece of stinking rotten squirrel dung than I care to think about. I am done with Linksys and their ridiculously ineffective hardware.
I have even tried overclocking it, turning off security, you name it. Even with the computers 10 ****ing feet away from the thing (and I've tried multiple APs - it's not just a defective one) they still drop occasionally.
Bleh. Sorry. Buy a new AP. It's a copout for me to give advice like that, but I don't do this very often.
I have found the true culprit in my case to be 802.1x authentication enabled by default on network adapters in Windows XP. If the router does not support this feature or if it is not correctly configured, WZC will fail to negotiate an authenticated link with the router and will disable the adapter.
I have sorted out 100% of my disconnection problems by disabling 802.1x authentication (on the adapter's properties) as per the recommendation of the XP SP2 readme file.
//EDIT:
Come to think of it. This was my counter-copout response. Yay.
There are no wireless devices in my home(s) (this has been a problem at both my houses and various clients that I have), to interfere, I've tried multiple channels, I've tried every damned trick in the book (yes, including the authentication thing)... THEY JUST SUCK.
//edit:
plus, in XP SP2, they've removed the authentication tab from a wireless adapter property sheet.
Disabling it on my pre-SP2 computers fortunately solved my problems, though. My farts don't even stink anymore...! This despite the fact that I'm running a Linksys router (WRT54G, 2.02.7).
Personally, I disagree with your (very broad) statement about all Linksys routers not being worth the plastic they're encased in; as a bigshot around here (and deservedly so), you're certainly entitled to voice your oppinion, but that type of emotionally motivated statement only serves to further increase the FUD factor for others wrt wireless products in general.
Guess it's luck of the draw?
/me ships prime a tinfoil hat
Could help with the reception
Computer in the living room. XP Pro, SP1. Linksys USB 'g' wireless card. Sits beside a computer that uses a DLink PCI wireless card and has no issues. The router is a DLink. In any case, the connection keeps dropping. And the balloon pops up from the tray icon saying something like 'wireless network is available, click here to join'. Click the icon, hit connect and it does. Problem is, the connection drops 3 minutes later and has to be manually connected again.
Is there a check box somewhere that will automatically log this thing on when the connection drops??????
just curious..I can't deselect the 802.1x authentication checkbox on my SP1 box. How do you do that?
I seemed to have solved my dropping problem by installing Microsoft's WPA hotfix for SP1 (it's already incorporated into SP2) as well as turing on SSID broadcast. I still have MAC Filtering and WPA enabled. I feel pretty secure since I've sniffed multiple networks from the neighbours that are on standard channel #6, standard SSID, and not even WEP enabled. They're just lucky I'm not my 16 year old mischievious self!
anyway ...i replaced the access point and the nic at my workstation with netgear and the ap is ok but my mic has been nothing but trouble.
Are you using your card's proprietary software for managing you wireless settings, or that of Windows? (In other words: is "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" checked or not?)
802.1x will likely be grayed out if the above settings (aka Wireless Zero Configuration or WZC) is disabled. If you're still getting dropouts in that scenario, 802.1x authentication is very unlikely to be the cause of your problems. Try looking elsewhere (and that's MY copout! ;-))
This does sound like a possible candidate for 802.1x authentication problems. If viable, upgrade to Windows XP SP2 and see if that solves your problem. If not, go to the properties of your card, view the advanced/authentication tab, and deselect the 802.1x authentication option.